Masks Feb. 14: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Minnesota Department of Health recommend that people, both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated, continue to wear a well-fitted mask in some settings or situations.
MDH recommends wearing a high-quality mask to help limit COVID-19, including variants like Omicron. Examples of high-quality masks include N95 or KN95 masks, which are very good at blocking droplets. If you do not have this type of mask, wear a mask with two or more layers of tightly woven fabric. You can also layer a disposable mask under a cloth mask to increase effectiveness. The cloth mask should press the edges of the disposable mask snugly against your face. Do not wear face coverings made of thinner, loosely woven, or single-layer fabric such as certain types of masks, scarves, neck gaiters, or bandannas. They are not as effective for blocking droplets that come out when speaking, coughing, or sneezing. If you wear a scarf or neck gaiter for warmth, also wear a mask underneath it. Any masks that incorporate a valve that is designed to facilitate easy exhaling, mesh masks, or masks with openings, holes, visible gaps in the design or material, or vents are NOT sufficient face coverings because they allow droplets to be released from the mask.
Koochiching Aging Options is among many organizations in northern and central Minnesota that received Otto Bremer Trust awards. KAO was awarded $40,000 for general operations to provide services to older adults of Koochiching County by the Otto Bremer Trust, which has awarded more than $15.6 million in grants and program-related investments as part of its most recent grantmaking cycle.
Provide input on deer The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input via an online survey regarding 2021 deer populations and observations. The survey includes questions about experiences hunters had during the deer hunting season; issues related to damage deer might do to crops, landscaping or gardens; and other deer-related issues.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites anglers and others to comment on fisheries management in several waterbodies in the Grand Rapids area through March 15. The DNR will be using comments and suggestions from the public as it updates fisheries management plans that identify specific activities planned for designated lakes and streams over the next five to 20 years.
Chapter 43 Like all of us, as time passed Violet ruminated about her adventures. She already had 11 grandchildren and 11 great-children.
Those dots you may have seen flying high above the ice on Rainy Lake last weekend were kites. Kallie Kantos, an active Bordeland outdoors person, invited folks onto the ice Feb.
The International Voyageurs Snowmobile Club’s annual hot dog roast drew folks together Feb. 5. Here, Calvin Thomopoulos, Aaron Shuff, center, one of the IVSC groomer operators, and and Larry L’Heureux talk trails and other things, we suppose. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
With vibrant colors rippling in the sky, photographer Ben Sunne Feb. 3 stayed up late to capture the northern lights.
Just past what many consider the “season of giving,” Packaging Corporation of America’s International Falls mill has been busy all year long lending support and donations to various groups throughout their community.